Professor Arogyaswami Paulraj, a Board member of the leading technical institute, IIIT Naya Raipur, has been elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AMACAD ) — one of the USA’s most highly

regarded honors for artistic, academic, and scientific leaders who engage in advancing the public good.

A letter, jointly signed by the Chair of the Board, Nancy C. Andrews and the President, David W. Oxtoby, and addressed to the Minister of State, announced his election to the Academy and welcomed him as a member.

“On behalf of the Officers and members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, we are pleased to announce your election to the Academy and warmly welcome you as a new member. This honor signifies the high regard in which you are held by leaders in your field and members throughout the nation,” reads the letter.  

 With this election, Prof. Paulraj joins the company of notable thinkers of the world such as John Adams, James Bowdoin, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington to Ralph Waldo Emerson, Maria Mitchell, and Alexander Graham Bell.  Other distinguished members include John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Margaret Mead, whilst international members include Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. Founded in 1780, the Academy is dedicated to honoring excellence and leadership, working across disciplines and divides, and advancing the common good. AMACAD’s current members represent today’s innovative thinkers in every field and profession, including more than two hundred and fifty Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners.  The Induction weekend is currently scheduled for October 9-11, 2020, but it will be in line with guidance from public health officials owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

On being conferred with this honour, Mr. Pradeep K Sinha, Vice Chancellor and Director, International Institute of Information Technology, Naya Raipur (IIIT-Naya Raipur) said, “On behalf of all the members of IIIT-NR family, I wish him heartiest congratulations on this unparalleled, unmatched, and well deserved recognition. It is a matter of pride not only for us at IIIT-NR, but for the entire Nation that an Indian has been conferred with this elite recognition. We are indeed proud and privileged to have Prof. Paulraj associated with our institute.”